Craven sets hearing on proposed ordinance to regulate tall structures

In this 2011 file photo, wind turbines line a hillside in Sheffield, Vt. Leaders in both Craven and Pamlico counties are working to determine whether windmills and other tall structures would conflict with operations at Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station.

AP file photo

By Sue Book, Sun Journal Staff

Published: Monday, February 4, 2013 at 08:50 PM.

The Craven County Board of Commissioners on Monday set a public hearing for March 4 on a proposed tall structures ordinance that’s aimed at keeping military flight paths clear.

Craven’s decision comes as leaders in neighboring Pamlico County are scheduled to meet this week with Marine Corps officials to discuss the military’s concerns over proposed energy-producing windmills there.

The draft Craven ordinance would regulate any structure that rises more than 350 feet above ground level. Tall structures such as wind turbines, cell towers and buildings would require a permit under the proposal.

The goal of the ordinance would be to protect aviation operations at Cherry Point air station as well as civil and commercial aviation.

For its part, the military has not formally asked the county to enact an ordinance regulating tall structures. However, county officials say they are trying to be sensitive to Cherry Point’s needs.

“It is very clear to us what they need,” said Craven County Manager Jack Veit. “(It’s) a document in progress and won’t be an ordinance until all sides are considered and we get public input. What we have to do is make sure we balance business, public and military interests in this ordinance. We feel like this is the fairest way to do it.”

About a third of Craven County’s estimated 107,000 residents are in some way connected to Cherry Point through the military or through civilian employment at Fleet Readiness Center East there. The base has an estimated $2 billion economic impact on the area.

The Craven County Board of Commissioners on Monday set a public hearing for March 4 on a proposed tall structures ordinance that’s aimed at keeping military flight paths clear.

Craven’s decision comes as leaders in neighboring Pamlico County are scheduled to meet this week with Marine Corps officials to discuss the military’s concerns over proposed energy-producing windmills there.

The draft Craven ordinance would regulate any structure that rises more than 350 feet above ground level. Tall structures such as wind turbines, cell towers and buildings would require a permit under the proposal.

The goal of the ordinance would be to protect aviation operations at Cherry Point air station as well as civil and commercial aviation.

For its part, the military has not formally asked the county to enact an ordinance regulating tall structures. However, county officials say they are trying to be sensitive to Cherry Point’s needs.

“It is very clear to us what they need,” said Craven County Manager Jack Veit. “(It’s) a document in progress and won’t be an ordinance until all sides are considered and we get public input. What we have to do is make sure we balance business, public and military interests in this ordinance. We feel like this is the fairest way to do it.”

About a third of Craven County’s estimated 107,000 residents are in some way connected to Cherry Point through the military or through civilian employment at Fleet Readiness Center East there. The base has an estimated $2 billion economic impact on the area.

In the recent past, Craven County leaders have enacted development rules to protect the base’s operations. In April 2004 — after two years of deliberation — the county adopted its first-ever zoning as a way to prevent development from encroaching on airspace needed for Cherry Point.

That Air Installation Compatibility Use Zone, now often referred to by the acronym AICUZ, restricted some development in the N.C. 101 area in order to minimize flyover and accident potential. It came over strong objections from 59 property owners there.

The proposed ordinance on tall structures is an effort to head off potential land-use conflicts, Craven officials say.

“Craven County is trying to get ahead of the curve on this, be proactive,” said county Planning Director Don Baumgardner. “The (Allies for Cherry Point’s Tomorrow) people have asked us to share our ordinance with other communities, but the No. 1 reason is to get an ordinance that works here. We’ll do our part to help other communities, but we have to get that point first.”

Veit said the proposed tall structures ordinance is still a “work in progress.” Just how “in progress” became clearer Monday afternoon when the county attorney’s review of the draft ordinance prepared by Dale Holland of Holland Consulting in Wilmington raised some questions that county officials couldn’t answer.

“We are changing our public hearing request from Feb. 18 to March 4 to give us more time to look it over and make sure we have considered everything,” Baumgardner said. “We feel pretty good about where we are, but want additional review time.

“The ordinance is still being developed, being fine-tuned. All we’re asking for commissioners to do is set a public hearing.”

Sue Book can be reached at 635-5665 or sue.book@newbernsj.com. Follow her on Twitter@SueJBook.

Pamlico County leaders are looking at the issue of windmills and tall structures, too. Find out more at: http://www.newbernsj.com/news/local/military-representatives-to-discuss-wind-farms-with-pamlico-boards-1.89884